“Senior favors you. It could be because you’re a man, it could be because of commonality, it could be because of football. Regardless, he favors you. So yeah. If you want to see me standing by her side as betrayal, do that. She needs someone in her corner with no bias, unconditionally. You can’t do that objectively, so I will. I hope one day you respect it, but if not . . .” I shrugged, not feeling the need to continue.
“Damn,” Isaac grumbled, running his hands down his face. “That makes me feel like shit. I’ve noticed the disconnect in their relationship, but I didn’t realize just how bad it was.”
“It’s hard to when you’re on the inside looking out. Your relationship with him is perfect, so it’s going to be difficult for you to see the flawed way he treats her. She doesn’t have a mother, bruh. At least you have Senior. I’m sure at times it feels like she doesn’t even have him. And when he does come around, look at how he talks to her. All the little girl in her wants is to be loved, supported, and accepted by her father. If she can’t get that, he has to stay away from her. It’s not healthy for her mental.”
Standing, Isaac nodded his agreement. “If she’s here, tell her to call me so I can check on her. If she’s not here, tell her the next time you talk to her.” We shook hands, and it led to a brotherly hug. “I know I’ve been giving you hell, but I do appreciate youlooking out for my sister. Since she doesn’t want me to be here for her now, take care of her.”
“I will,” I promised, following him toward the door.
After I locked it behind him, I went back to my room. Eli was still knocked out. I climbed back into bed and put her on my chest, next to my heart where she belonged. Her breathing evened out as she wrapped her arm around me and tossed her leg over mine. Kissing her head, I gently massaged her scalp. She had truly become my treasure, and I was going to make sure no one had the chance to hurt her without consequence—regardless of who it was.
The Next Day
I lookedup the world’s largest bookstore and took Eli there. We’d come to Powell’s City of Books in Portland, Oregon. I knew we’d be here for a while because she’d want to cover every inch of space, and I let her get every book she wanted. We arrived just before noon and didn’t leave until damn near five. The smile on her face made the long day worth it, and I would have stayed twice as long if that made her happy.
“This was so much fun, Fally!” She squealed as she slid into the back of the chauffeured SUV we were in for the day.
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, because this is only just the beginning.”
“Ooh, what else did you have in mind?”
“I figured we could do a bookstore tour. I looked up some independent and black owned stores, but if you have any you want to add to the list, let me know. We can do a city a day orevery two days, and I have the next two weeks blocked off. Is that cool?”
Her eyes watered, but she held back her tears as she rubbed them. “Why are you doing this for me?” she asked softly.
“Because I love you, and you deserve it. Because I want to spoil you and make you happy. Because you’re mine, and it’s my job to take care of you. You gon’ let me do that?”
That signature giggle escaped her before she hugged my neck, then buckled her seat belt.
“Thank you, baby. I really needed this. Between the show prep and melting down backstage, this was the perfect recharge. Not just the bookstore but spending time with you.”
“I’m happy to hear that. You look like yourself again. Sound like yourself. I thought I was gon’ have to beat up ya old man for a minute there.”
She laughed. “He called me talking about Isaac questioned him about something you said about him never telling me he loved me. Do you know that man yelled at me for that and still didn’t tell me he loved me?” Eli chuckled, but it was a humorless chuckle. “I just hung up in his face and blocked him. Not sure how long I’ll have him blocked, but I know I need to protect my energy and peace.”
“You made the right call. I’m not saying it’s impossible for y’all to have the relationship you want, but at the same time, if it hasn’t happened by now . . .”
“I’m over it. I think I tried so hard because of Mama. I didn’t want to lose him emotionally after losing her physically, but it is what it is.” Her head shook as she looked out of the window. “I don’t want to talk about that though. I’m having a great time, and talking about him will just ruin it.”
“Say less. Where do you want to go next? Texas was on my list. There’s about three bookstores there that I wanted to take you to, but again, if you have something else in mind?—”
“Texas it is! And I’m so excited. I can’t wait to see all the places you picked. This is so exciting!”
As she clapped and shimmied, I laughed and shook my head. Nothing made me feel better than pleasing this woman, and that was a dangerous way to feel, because it made me want to please her for the rest of my life.
Chapter
Nineteen
Eli
Two Months Later
My fake relationshipwith Falcon was officially over. Preseason had started last month, and Justine’s plan had worked so well that no one was talking about either of our scandals. Not only that, but our socials had grown. After seeing how well Falcon acted with me, his female following had increased by 33 percent. My music sales had increased by 97 percent, and women were loving seeing me get the love, care, and treatment I deserved.
As great as things had turned out, I was still sad that it was over. We were going to wait until after the season started next month to quietly announce we were taking a break so Falcon could focus on leading the Demolishers to victory this year, which wouldn’t seem suspicious because he’d made it clear nothing came before his career and team since the beginning.
I had no idea where he was taking me when he escorted me down to his Ferrari. For the last two months, I’d been staying with him. Now that our relationship was over, I’d been looking into buying the loft unit in his building. I loved the communityand amenities. Isaac had offered to buy it for me, and I felt like that was him trying to get back in my good graces. I wouldn’t say I blamed him for what happened or that I was holding the way Senior treated me against Isaac, but I was at a point where he seemed just as guilty as our father did because he didn’t check him about the way he treated me. Even with him asking Senior if he’d ever told me he loved me, Isaac told me not to make a big deal out of it to keep the peace. At that point, I realized he’d always play the middle man, and that wasn’t good enough for me.
